At a Glance
- Host Nikki Glaser paid tribute to late actor-director Rob Reiner at the Jan. 11, 2026 Golden Globes
- She wore a black “Spinal Tap” cap, nodding to Reiner’s 1984 directorial debut
- Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner were fatally stabbed at home in December
- Why it matters: Viewers saw a rare moment of heartfelt remembrance inside a comedy-driven awards show
Nikki Glaser closed the January 11, 2026 Golden Globe Awards with a quiet salute to Rob Reiner, the director behind This Is Spinal Tap, who died weeks earlier alongside his wife in a Los Angeles stabbing.
A Subtle Tribute
Glaser took the Beverly Hilton stage for her final segment wearing the same black baseball cap branded with the Spinal Tap logo. The 1984 rock-mockumentary marked Reiner’s first time directing a feature film and became a cult classic.
“That’s our show. This one went to 11,” she told the crowd, borrowing the film’s signature line about amplifier volume. “Thank you guys for an amazing night and I hope we found the line between clever and stupid. A good Chalamet to you all! Good night.”
The line drew applause inside the ballroom, capping a ceremony that handed trophies to Timothée Chalamet, Rose Byrne, Seth Rogen and others.
Balancing Humor and Respect
Speaking to CBS Mornings earlier in January, Glaser said hosting for a second year required a different tone because many nominees were performers she idolized as a child.
“I am a huge fan of these people,” she explained. “It’s easy for me to take down the newer batch of actresses and actors who are younger than me. It’s like, ‘OK, I can make fun of you. I’m like a veteran.’ But when it’s people that I grew up admiring, it’s a different approach this year.”
She added that her goal was to stay “very delicate about making jokes that aren’t going to ruin anyone’s night,” while still giving viewers at home the jabs they crave.
“People at home want you to make fun of the A-listers,” she said.
The Tragedy Behind the Moment
Reiner, 77, and wife Michele Singer Reiner, 75, were killed December 8, 2025 during an apparent home-invasion stabbing that shocked Hollywood. Police have charged a 34-year-old man with two counts of murder; investigators say the suspect did not know the couple personally.
The couple’s deaths prompted an outpouring from actors, writers and directors who credited Reiner with shaping modern film comedy through Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride and When Harry Met Sally.
Glaser’s wardrobe choice offered one of the few on-air acknowledgments of the loss during an evening packed with punchlines and winner speeches.
Other Big Moments
- Macaulay Culkin returned to the Globes stage to present, earning a standing ovation
- Julia Roberts and George Clooney shared a mic, reviving their Ocean’s Eleven chemistry
- A tongue-in-cheek “Heated Rivalry” bit pitted comedy film stars against drama contenders
- Leonardo DiCaprio and Roberts were spotted deep in conversation off-camera, fueling social chatter
Key Takeaways
- The host’s final words carried extra weight, honoring a filmmaker whose influence stretched decades
- Glaser balanced reverence for Hollywood legends with barbs aimed at newer celebrities
- The Reiner tribute lasted only seconds but stood out amid a fast-moving broadcast
- Viewers ended the night remembering both the winners and a beloved director gone too soon
Natalie A. Brooks originally reported this story for News Of Fort Worth.
